Mailbag: I've noticed traffic getting worse in Costa Mesa

Has anyone noticed the traffic getting worse? As I was sitting in traffic the other day, I thought about how our streets look better, with the new plants and new cement medians, but they don't seem to do much to alleviate the burgeoning amount of traffic that is now pretty much constant.

I don't shop downtown anymore. It's too stressful. It also made me think about the reasons for the beautification, without any sort of plan to move the traffic more smoothly through town.

What will happen when the developments in the block-square area across the street from Trader Joe's are built? Are the streets going to be widened? What will happen when it rains again and the streets fill up with water? Total gridlock.

As bad as the traffic is above ground, what will the result be to our aging underground infrastructure? Our sewer is aging and already precarious in areas. What will happen with all of these high-density projects with the increased sewage?

Will our water lines be able to service 2,000 more homes? When the inevitable happens, who pays for the new above-ground and underground infrastructure? Of course, we, the ratepayers, do. Are all the "pretties" supposed to make us look in another direction while there is devilment going on right under our noses?

Terri Fuqua

Costa Mesa

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Pacific Festival was too loud

We were guests of our sister parked directly across the bay during the Pacific Festival. It was so loud we couldn't carry on a conversation. Later that evening, we could still hear the music two miles away. Why does it have to be so loud?

To the producers of the music event, thanks for ruining a family day and evening at the Dunes.

Charles Jensen

Corona del Mar

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Ask residents about artwork

Just as I was getting used to the rabbits having a seance in the Civic Center Park, some new "artwork" has been installed. I am not sure how it fits into the theme of our wonderful, nautical beach community.

How about we survey the residents to see what kind of art they would like to view and enjoy?

Dean McCormick

Newport Beach

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Do not add sports to Fairview

What is the real reason the Fairview Park Citizens Advisory Committee will not wrap up its master plan study and make recommendations to the City Council? At every public meeting I have attended it has been clear that the majority of community comments are in opposition to further development, and there is little support of new sports fields other than by the sports organizations.

Is the committee afraid to oppose powerful city officials promoting a large-scale athletic complex? Fairview Park is a solitary gem. It should not be bulldozed to build lighted playing fields.

Finally, planners should keep in mind that Southern California is facing what might be a drought more severe than any other in modern times. It is insane to propose replacing acres of natural drought-tolerant vegetation with water-hungry grass in the face of what might be a prolonged drought. Proponents of development will say that irrigation can be done with recycled water but in a prolonged drought that might become a precious resource with more important demands.

Urge the Advisory Committee and City Council to preserve Fairview Park in its present state of arrested development. Sports fields can be built anywhere but Fairview Park cannot be replaced.